Recovery

Get Informed | Learn About Treatment Options
Resources to Help your Recovery

What is recovery?

Rethink Recovery 100 Ways to support Recovery  (pdf)

Sharing Responsibility for Recovery: Creating and sustaining recovery orientated systems of care for mental health. (pdf)

Recovery is a process of learning to successfully live with a mental illness. 

We all have a journey through life, some are harder than others, I see my journey as an internal ladder through which I need to climb, one step at a time, learning about myself and others, because we are all different.  You have assisted me by lending a supportive ear and allowing me to grow.  Sally

Mental illness can vary greatly in type and impact, it may be beneficial for you discuss your recovery plan with your own mental health professional or GP. 

The following are some ideas that you can explore to support your own recovery...

Get informed

Learn about mental health and educate yourself on your rights and responsibilities.  The following links provide some ideas for you to find more information:

Links   Australian Psychological Society http://www.psychology.org.au DepressioNet http://www.depressionet.com.au Beyondblue http://www.beyondblue.org.au Australian Government Mental Health and Wellbeing website http://www.health.gov.au Mental Illness Fellowship of Queensland http://www.sfq.org.au/index.htm Mental Health Council of Australia http://www.mhca.org.au SANE Australia http://www.sane.org The mental health legal framework in Queensland (a document by the Mental Illness Fellowship of Queensland) [pdf] The Mental Health Legal Centre http://www.communitylaw.org.au

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Learn about your options

The following links provide a starting point for information about available support:

Summary of treatment options   SANE Australia http://www.sane.org Helping YOURSELF   Beyondblue http://www.beyondblue.org.au Psychology treatments    Beyondblue http://www.beyondblue.org.au  SANE Australia http://www.sane.org Alternative treatment   Beyondblue http://www.beyondblue.org.au SANE Australia http://www.sane.org Medical treatment    Beyondblue http://www.beyondblue.org.au  Medicines Line http://www.nps.org.au Sunshine Coast Mental Health Services   E-Directory by the Sunshine Coast Division of General Practice http://www.scdgp.org.au

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Get a regular GP

So they get to know you and can suggest when you need extra help (A list of Sunshine Coast General Practices (pdf) is available on the Sunshine Coast Division of General Practice website (www.scdgp.org.au).

Get a regular mental health professional

Get a (public or private) psychiatrist / psychologist / social worker / mental health nurse (follow the links under the Accessing Private Practitioners section on the Private Practitioners page of this website to help you to locate this professional).

Work on developing a long-term management plan

Rather than just addressing crises as they occur you can work on developing a long term plan.  You could do this with the help of your mental health practitioner, your GP, or informed family or friends.

Take care of your financial and social needs

It might be helpful to work with a mental health service (see the list of mental health services on the Mental Health Services page of this website) or a support service (see the list of support services on the Support Services page of this website) to help with this task. 

Get help from family and close friends

Family and friends can support you with your recoveryjourney as they become informed and involved in your long-term management plan.

I have found that through self development,  & stress management strategies that I have learned and making new connections with people while still keeping contact with family and friends has helped me to recover quicker.  A major focus on balancing my overall health including  physical, mental, emotional, financial, social and spiritual aspects.  Know that if you are not happy with any doctors, psychiatrists, case managers, support workers, or counsellors it is OK to ask for another one.  Catherine Blackett

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Resources to Help your Recovery

Beyondblue downloadable information resources

www.beyondblue.org.au

SANE Australia publications:

• The SANE Guide to Medication and other Treatments [www.sane.org]
  Explains how all the different aspects of treatment work, by looking at clinical care, medication, support in the community and helping yourself.
• The SANE Guide for Consumers [www.sane.org]
  Provides practical suggestions on ways you can look after yourself, explains what words like ˜diagnosis" and "treatment" actually mean and describes how treatment and medication can help you.
• The SANE Guide to Healthy Living [www.sane.org]
  Explains the benefits of being physically healthy, gives tips on how to started becoming healthier and overcome obstacles as well as giving suggestions on finding support to help stay healthy.
• The SANE Guide to Staying Alive [www.sane.org]
  Provides practical step-by-step hints and advice for consumers, carers and health professionals on dealing with suicidal thoughts and behaviour.

What is Care Co-ordination?

Care Co-ordination (visual) (pdf)

Care Cordination Information (.doc)

Referral Form (.doc)

Template Consent (.doc)

 

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